Bruno Fernandes claims that Guardiola ‘didn’t deserve’ his respect

Pep Guardiola Bruno Fernandes TEAMtalk

Bruno Fernandes says that Pep Guardiola “didn’t deserve” his respect when he shushed the Manchester City boss during the Manchester derby.

Fernandes had the last laugh in a heated exchange with Guardiola after Manchester United beat Pep’s men 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Portugal playmaker Fernandes, who set up the opening goal for Anthony Martial, put his fingers to his lips after arguing with Guardiola moments before Scott McTominay sealed victory in injury time.

Fernandes told Sky Sports: “I talked about this with some friends and some people think ‘Pep won everything, who is Bruno to diss him?’ But I think it is about respect.

“Now, I think outside of the pitch I don’t do this again if I am on the pitch now. But, at that moment the words he told me made me mad, and on the pitch I am a little bit nervous, it is the kind of player I am.

“I have respect for Pep and what he won, and what he did for football because he changed some mentalities in football.

“But, at that moment he didn’t deserve my respect at that moment on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that Odion Ighalo could stay beyond this season after impressing again in the Europa League.

Thursday’s last-16 first leg clash was played behind closed doors in front of just 500 people as Austria, like all countries, attempts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The surroundings in Linz could hardly have contrasted more with Sunday’s victory against rivals Manchester City at a bouncing Old Trafford, but United did not let their standards drop in this strange situation. Read more…